Kathmandu: As of Asad 29, around 59 percent of paddy sowing has been completed across Nepal, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development. Paddy has been sown on 816,405 hectares of land, which is about 8 percent less than the same period last year when the sowing rate stood at 67 percent.

Provincial Overview: Sudurpaschim Leads in Sowing
Among the provinces, Sudurpaschim has recorded the highest sowing completion rate at 93 percent (approximately 164,000 hectares), followed by Karnali Province with 83 percent (64,000 hectares) and Lumbini Province with 73 percent (223,000 hectares). The Terai region remains critical to national paddy production, contributing 70 percent of the total yield, while hilly regions contribute 30 percent, according to Ministry Information Officer Mahananda Joshi.

Weather-Driven Delays and Production Estimates
Despite an overall sowing delay in some areas due to heavy rains, droughts, and natural disasters, the ministry expects paddy sowing to reach 98 percent by the end of next Shrawan. Paddy is cultivated on around 1.4 million hectares across the country.

In the fiscal year 2080/81, Nepal produced 5.72 million metric tons of paddy. For the current year, the ministry estimates a total production of 6 million metric tons, yielding 3.5 million metric tons of edible rice. Officials believe this increase will be driven by new knowledge, improved farming techniques, and better-quality seeds. Since paddy contributes significantly to GDP, a 10 percent fluctuation in production could lead to a 1 percent rise or fall in GDP, the ministry stated.

Severe Drought in Sunsari Threatens Farmers' Livelihoods
Farmers in Sunsari district, particularly in Barahakshetra Municipality, are facing a crisis due to the lack of timely rain and poor irrigation infrastructure. In areas like Sri Lanka Island, Chilaiya, and Garaiya, many rely entirely on rainfall. Local farmer Santosh Chandravanshi said the seedlings are drying out, adding, “We were hoping for rain this year, but it didn’t rain when we needed it.”

While Barahakshetra Municipality has distributed 43 electric motors, 60 delivery pipes, and 155 tarpaulins to support farmers, irrigation remains limited due to incomplete electricity access. Other farmers such as Rambhuvan Raya of Ramdhuni Municipality and Saraswati Miya of Koshi Rural Municipality-7 also reported incomplete planting and withering seedlings due to drought conditions.

Water Shortage Hits Dharan and Overall Sowing Drops in Sunsari
In Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City-6, farmer Buddhiman Tamang said there is no water in the canals, halting progress. “Last year, planting was done by now, but this year, not even one-third has been completed,” he said.

According to Nil Kamal Singh, head of the Agricultural Knowledge Center in Sunsari, only 32 percent of the paddy fields in the district have been planted so far, compared to 50 percent by this time last year. Sunsari typically cultivates rice on 48,090 hectares, making the delay a serious threat to production.

Farmers Demand Urgent Government Support
Farmers are demanding timely irrigation solutions and relief packages, including subsidies on fertilizers, seeds, and farming equipment. Many say private arrangements are financially unviable and call on the government for immediate intervention to protect the paddy harvest and their livelihoods.